Jamshedpur: The Steel City recorded the hottest day of the season on Tuesday with the maximum temperature soaring to 42.9 degrees Celsius, six degrees notch above average. . The officials of the meteorological office at Sonari added that the dry westerly and northwesterly winds from Bay of Bengal are making the temperature rise.
A curfew-like situation prevails in the city during the day as the denizens stayed indoors till the evening due to the torment heat. Heat waves and sultry weather scare vehicle riders and pedestrians and it resulted in roads wearing a deserted look during the day.
The city has been sweltering for the past few days with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius and wearing a deserted look. Frequent power cuts have added to the woes of residents.
Weathermen said the alert was to stay on as the maximum temperature at several areas has crossed five degrees above normal. “The month of April is the hottest period as far in the city. The maximum temperature will continue to rise due to the westerly winds dominating the State. We find no signs of rain in the chart analysis. People have to wait for the rain. We have extended the heat wave alert as the maximum temperature in several places is rising,” said an official of Patna Meteorological Office.
He explained that in the absence of rain, the mercury was witnessing a steeper rise. ” Strong westerly winds are dominating over the state and it is preventing the easterly winds to take over. We are expecting a change in the wind pattern only after the next 48-hours,” said the senior Met official.
Notably, Jamshedpur has a record of maximum temperature in June 1942. Data revealed that on June 11, 1942, the steel city recorded the ever highest maximum reading of 47.2 degree Celsius.
The hot and scorching summer in the city has not only made life difficult but has also increased the woes of the people. Several cases of serious diseases, such as dehydration, gastroenteritis, jaundice and viral fever are being reported in the city with nursing homes and hospitals witnessing spurt in admissions.
